CJI Dismisses Revaluation Plea, Says Legal Profession Has Much to Offer

NEW DELHI, May 8: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Thursday shared a deeply personal experience from his early legal career while dismissing a plea filed by a judicial services aspirant seeking revaluation of an examination paper.
The anecdote emerged during the hearing of a petition filed by Prerna Gupta before a bench comprising the CJI and Justice Joymalya Bagchi. Although the court declined to interfere in the matter, the interaction ended on an encouraging note, leaving the petitioner smiling as she exited the courtroom.
As Gupta continued to request reconsideration of her answer sheet evaluation, the Chief Justice paused the proceedings to narrate an incident from his own student days. He explained that during his final year in law school, he had also aspired to join the judicial services and had successfully cleared the written examination before the interview process underwent significant procedural changes.
Justice Surya Kant recalled that after a Supreme Court ruling, high court judges were included as subject experts in recruitment panels, with their views becoming decisive in the selection process. Around the same time, he had begun practising at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, where he had argued important cases before senior judges.
The CJI said one of the judges on the interview panel, familiar with his courtroom performances, unexpectedly called him into his chamber and questioned his ambition to become a judicial officer. According to the Chief Justice, the judge initially reacted sharply, asking him to leave the chamber immediately, leaving the young lawyer shaken and uncertain about his future.
However, the following day brought a surprising turn. The same judge summoned him again and advised him not to limit his potential by entering the lower judiciary. Instead, he encouraged the young advocate to continue at the Bar, telling him that the profession held immense possibilities for growth and success.
Justice Surya Kant revealed that after reflecting on the advice, he decided not to appear for the interview and instead focused entirely on legal practice. He admitted that he initially hesitated to inform his parents about the decision, fearing disappointment.
Addressing the petitioner, the Chief Justice urged her not to become disheartened by one unsuccessful attempt or examination dispute. He encouraged her to prepare for future opportunities in the higher judicial services and reminded her that advocacy itself could lead to a fulfilling and impactful career.
Despite the dismissal of her plea, Gupta appeared encouraged by the interaction, which transformed a routine court hearing into a memorable moment of guidance and inspiration.